LEGAZPI CITY –– At least 253 hogs were culled in Daraga town in Albay province on Monday to prevent the spread of African swine fever (ASF).
Daraga Mayor Victor Perete said they started the culling on Saturday after two pigs tested positive for ASF.
“The depopulated hogs were from the pig pens in the villages of Kilicao and Malobago,” he said. Some backyard farms in Malobago were within the 500-meter radius of the affected area in Kilicao.
Perete said checkpoints would be set up to prevent the transport of hogs to and from the affected villages.
Pancho Mella, head of the Provincial Veterinary Services in Albay, said in 2020, at least 480 hogs were culled in towns of Pio Duran, Polangui, Oas, Daraga, and Ligao City.
He said the first case of ASF was recorded in September 2020 in Pio Duran.